23/02/2010 - BJJ (Advanced)

Class #290
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 23/02/2010

I had thought I was getting bored of MMA, judging by the last few UFC fights I've seen. I haven't watched an entire event in a long time. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed BAMMA 2 (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts) last weekend. Every fight was exciting, there was plenty of technically adept grappling on display, and I didn't see any of the trash talking that has become prevalent in the UFC.

It probably also helped that many of the fighters were from the lighter weight categories, which I tend to prefer watching. My personal connections also made it more interesting for me: the fight promoter was my old instructor, Jude Samuel, who is also the guy who gave me my blue belt. Paul Reed is an old student of Kevin O'Hagan (I think), who I very briefly trained with six years ago. Finally, Tom 'Kong' Watson (who didn't fight, but was repeatedly featured in a promo for the next event in May) is someone I used to see on the mats at RGA.

I especially enjoyed the final match, between veteran Paul Reed and twenty-one year old Alan Omer, an Iraqi who moved to Germany as a child. Apparently, Omer started out learning his grappling from YouTube videos (though this would seem to indicate he has been at a proper gym for some time now). They both gave an impressive demonstration of grappling: Reed has a dominant top game, while Omer looked pretty nifty on his back. Gunnar Nelson also delivered an entertaining performance: given all the hype surrounding him in both BJJ and MMA, it was cool to see him in action.

If you missed it, then BAMMA 2 is being shown again on Bravo 2 at 22:00 this Saturday, 27th February. Official website is here, but as that has the results on it, don't click through if you haven't seen the event yet. ;)

Getting back to tonight's training, Kev often begins the advanced class by asking if anybody has questions. I took the opportunity to ask if he could go through the back control he had just shown me in more detail. They're defending, with their arms tight against their neck. Reach over the top of an arm, wriggling your hand past the crook of their elbow. It may help to make a 'leopard palm' (curling the top joints of your fingers) to help drive the hand through.

Once you're past, reach under your own knee, then grab their gi, clamping your elbow to your side. If you want even more control, you can repeat on the other side, putting both their arms out of commission. Either way, the idea is that you now have an opening to go for their neck. As both of their arms are trapped, you have a couple more seconds to grab the collar or wrap the neck, as their reaction is automatically slower.

Whether you've wrapped one or both arms, you can use that position to attack with a bow and arrow choke, Kev's favourite submission from the back. Get one arm over their shoulder, gripping the opposite collar, up by their neck. Disengage the hand you have under their leg on the same side, and reach down to grab their trouser leg instead. You can now swivel to a perpendicular position, bringing one leg over their shoulder, while the other moves up their body to meet it. Cross your feet, then press down for the choke.

Kev then moved on to the triangle from guard. His first set-up depends on your partner making a basic error in the guard pass. If they reach back to push on your ankle to open your guard, hook that arm with your opposite foot. Having pull it out of the way, your other leg has a free path to pop up over their neck, after which you can move into a triangle.

Alternatively, you can set up the triangle with a scissor sweep motion. Your partner is using an orthodox grip in your guard, holding both of your lapels by your chest with one hand, while the other grasps the top of your trousers or your belt. Move out and bring your knee in as you would for a scissor sweep, but with a difference. That knee is going to go over their trouser grabbing hand: you can then push to break that grip. As soon as you do, circle the same leg up around their neck, then move into the triangle.

Finally, if they try to step round and initiate a pass to escape, grab their leg. You can then lift and roll them into an armbar, shifting your leg from the triangle over their head. It should then be a simple matter to drop back for the armbar.

Sparring started with Dan, in his guard. I have a habit at the moment of pushing for half guard, then trying to pass from there. It's better than not be able to initiate a pass at all, but still not ideal. I managed to make it to half, though I had to fight for it, as Dan was putting up plenty of resistance.

He tried to use the lockdown to get free, but I somehow ended up slipping through to mount instead: still, that was lucky, as I should have been dropping low on his hips to release my foot, then move back into the half guard position I wanted. I should also attack the arm more, to distract them: I did half-heartedly flail at an Americana, but didn't have the right position for decent leverage.

Once I made it to mount and maintained that for a while, Dan raised up and gave me a chance to go for an armbar. I left too much space, and could see I was losing it. I was sure there was something I could switch to, like an omoplata, but I didn't react quickly enough. I need to be more confident with those omoplatas, but at least I'm starting to recognise the opportunities. Like Roy Dean says on Purple Belt Requirements, it is all about the combinations.

Last roll was with a big white belt, who was aggressively pushing forward. He kept trying to attack my arms from within my guard, meaning that there were several times I'm sure I could have gone for an armbar. However, I wasn't staying tight enough: by the time I was manoeuvring to push off his hip, he had already pulled his arm free.

I also need to try out the Shawn Williams guard, which I still haven't attempted in sparring. Due to the way he was forward, that was presenting me with an entry to the SW guard, which I must remember to take next time.

Off to visit girlfriend again tomorrow, which is becoming a regular thing every other week, so again won't make it to Thursday training.

23/02/2010 - BJJ (Beginners)

Class #289
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 23/02/2010

For those who didn't notice, Matt's awesome blog Martial Farts has changed its name to The Grappling Dummy, which means the URL has also changed, to this. So, you may need to update your links and if you subscribe to the feed, that may need updating too. However, Matt mentioned that Grappling Dummy is set up to forward from the old Martial Farts URL, so quite possible your links will be unaffected.

I also read a good tip from the aptly named BJJ Tips blog, here, about treating mount like it was a reverse guard. Interesting, especially as I knew Kev was continuing to focus on back mount this week, so thought I might have a chance to try it out.

Fundamentals was escaping a standing choke. Pull down on their arm for breathing room, then drop your hips to get underneath them. Lift with your legs, then throw them over your shoulder by twisting to the side.

This will be slightly different if they put forward the leg on the same side as their choking arm. You won't be able to drop and lift them so easily, so instead, you want to make them pull back. Normally leaning forwards as if you're going to try and lift gets that reaction.

As soon as they pull you backwards, hook their leg and circle round. You should now have that choking arm in an awkward position: if you drop your upper body, they'll have to flip to the ground. Otherwise, they're going to hurt their arm.

Transitioning to the ground, Kev moved into an escape from back mount. The first thing to note is your defensive hand position. Interestingly, it was the same thing Liam suggested last week: cross your hands under your jaw, pressing the back of each hand against your faces, elbows in tight. This should both block attempts to press a forearm into your neck, while still enabling you to use your hands to intercept theirs.

Bridge up, then keep moving to the side until you've created a bit of pressure on their hook. Push it off with your same side hand and immediately move your hips over onto the floor. You need to make sure that you keep your weight on their chest the whole time, gluing their upper body to the ground.

Gradually walk around with your feet, maintaining that pressure on their chest, bringing an arm over their neck. With your other hand (this will be the same hand that released their hooking foot earlier), reach over and grab their opposite leg. This is to stop them turning into you. It should now be a simple matter to twist into side control.

If you also need to escape a choke, the technique is similar. The only difference is that you have to deal with that choking arm first. Grab it with both hands and pull down, then roll to the side. It must be the side their choking hand is pointing towards. If you roll towards their choking elbow, you're helping them put the submission on faster.

Once you've rolled to the side, you need to release their hooking foot, after which the technique proceeds as before. If you're escaping a RNC, then you begin the same way, but you'll also need to peel away the hand behind your skull. In order to do that, grab their four fingers with the hand closest to it, then pull it off your head.

Be careful, as you aren't allowed to manipulate small joints in BJJ, so it needs to be all four fingers clumped together. Once it is loose, bring their arm over your body until your can trap it under your same side armpit. You can then proceed to escape as before.

The last technique was another choke, this time in response to their defence. You've got a grip on the collar by their neck, but you can't get your other hand low on their other lapel. So instead, just wiggle your hand through until you can bring it behind their head, then choke them by pressing that arm and pulling on the collar. This is only going to work if they have left some space with their arm: if they're clamping their elbow in tight to their side, you're going to struggle to make room.

Specific sparring from the back, I focused too much on releasing hook with my legs. That defensive hand position worked great, as I wasn't in any danger of chokes, but I also wasn't getting too far with escaping. I generally felt too vulnerable to move one hand to brush off one of their hooks, though the one time I did attempt it, my remaining hand was enough to keep blocking submissions.

I did eventually release a hook just by squirming with my legs, but once again I went the wrong way. I should have triangled my legs around the other side, where his hand was under my armpit. That would make it easier to turn. Once I did eventually escape, I ended up straight under mount. Better than having my back taken, but not exactly ideal.

When it came to attacking, I had trouble dealing with Dan's hands. He kept managing to peel off one of my arms, then using that space to turn and escape. I wasn't able to break through his arms for a choke, so instead I had a go at an armbar. That almost worked the first time, but I didn't control him enough with the figure four grip. I should have really pressed his arm into his chest.

As it was, I left too much space, so when I went for the armbar, he was able to slip free. I also must remember to always come under the arm first before securing my initial grip, which I failed to do a couple of times with my later attempts.

I asked Kev if he had any suggestions for controlling their arms when on the back. His response was interesting: use your legs. Basically, you push through the crook of their elbow, reach under your own knee, then grab the gi. Clamp your elbow down, and you've trapped their arm. If you do that on both sides, you've managed to buy yourself a few extra seconds to attack their neck.

Book Review - Watch My Back (Geoff Thompson)

Short Review: Graphically violent, with prose that sometimes stumbles, this autobiography is nevertheless an engaging read. Geoff Thompson is a noted figure in the world of self defence, meaning that anyone at all interested in his work will find Watch My Back a revealing insight. He viscerally describes the experiences that transformed him from somebody terrified of conflict into a successful bouncer, feared throughout his home town of Coventry. Available to buy here (or in the US, here).

Long Review: In the eight years I've been active on martial arts internet forums, I've said many times that I'm not interested in self defence (the only encounter I've had with RBSD was during Jamie Clubb's class, at the Cyberkwoon meetings). It isn't something I train for, firstly because I find it dull, and secondly because I'm dubious about the benefits. I'm small, weak and passive, so if some huge drunk with a broken bottle wanted to smash my head in for knocking over his pint, I doubt there is much I could do beyond running away.

Reading a book like Watch My Back only confirms that feeling. It is written by Geoff Thompson, a pioneer in the Reality Based Self Defence (RBSD) scene, particularly when it comes to the significant differences from a typical martial arts class. He has written many, many books on the topic, as well as branched off into self-help and even film scripts.

Personally I've never been keen on the self-help genre, but when it comes to self defence, Thompson is a legend in the UK, and globally respected as well. Though he has faced criticism for the direction he's taken in recent years, his contribution to the martial arts has been immense. In a comparable process to Matt Thornton's pivotal concept of 'aliveness', Thompson brought reality to self defence instruction.

Watch My Back was Thompson's first book, his autobiography, describing the circumstances that led to his later position as a world-renowned self defence expert. Although self defence isn't my area, I've been wanting to read this for a while. I finally got round to it due to the increased visibility of 'self defence' in BJJ, since Gracie Combatives hit the internet last year. I wanted to see what somebody acknowledged as an authority on self defence had to say, and how those views developed.

Thompson's autobiography frequently intersects with his other work in self-help, particularly overcoming fear. He even quotes a relevant chunk from Fear – The Friend of Exceptional People towards the end of the book. Presumably that can't have been the case with the original edition of Watch My Back: it has been updated numerous times since the 1990s (the copy I read is from 2000, with a new edition appearing last year).

Given that this book is largely about violence, Thompson's career as a self defence instructor also features heavily. That begins with the prologue, where Thompson summarises his perspective on the ideal approach to a real fight (pp6-7):

Not too detailed a plan, no complications, no equations, no grapple with morality or peer pressure, just bang him. That’s it. All this bollocks about karate or kung-fu, about this range or that range, bridging the gap, setting up, weakening them with a kick – there’s no need, just hit the fuckers . . . very hard!

It took some time for Thompson to reach that conclusion, and to inculcate his hardened attitude. Watch My Back discusses how he spent much of his childhood at the mercy of fear, made even worse when he suffered sexual abuse as an eleven year old. His greatest fear was physical confrontation, so he took up martial arts. It wasn't enough. Eventually, he says that he realised the only way to overcome that fear was to face it head-on. That's how Geoff Thompson found himself working as a bouncer.

Thompson had a black belt in karate, but that didn't mean much on the doors. Competitors in mixed martial arts gradually realised they had to become well-rounded to succeed in the Octagon or the ring, developing competence at striking, groundwork and takedowns. Thompson discovered this was also true on the street, but interestingly, he feels that the paramount skill is a fast, powerful, pre-emptive punch (pp254-255):

I love the Western boxing. This is surely the most effective system known to man, but again in kicking and grappling range it comes a very sorry second place. However, these boxers are so deft with their hands that it often does not get to the other two ranges. Most fights start at about 18 inches, then quickly degenerate into grappling if not maintained. So punching range is the natural range for a real fight. If it is the natural range I can see no reason to convince me that I should change it for another, especially when all the other ranges are weaker in this arena. Hands are king as far as I am concerned.

He is careful to note that you need the other ranges too – after all, he has a black belt in judo, and judging by pictures, he's had some contact with BJJ too – but for Thompson, a knock-out punch was his most valuable asset. That punch, normally indicated by a simple 'bang!', is put to use again and again over the course of Watch My Back. The vast majority of the book is a series of fights, where Thompson describes the drunks, thugs and criminals he had to deal with in his decade as a doorman. It is often extremely violent, especially when Thompson relates anecdotes of situations that didn't go so well, such as friends who were stabbed, glassed or even beaten to a pulp in their own homes.

Despite the frequently excessive violence (made all the more shocking by Thompson's constant use of the pre-emptive strike, which he believes is an essential part of self defence), Thompson manages to retain an air of authenticity, something few writers ever capture. While I doubt everything in the book is true, and any real events have probably been exaggerated and embellished, you still come away with the sense that Thompson is speaking from experience. Here's an example, from the end of the book (pp460-461):

‘So you’re not going to go then?’ I said, bringing my right hand back as though showing the door. The question engaged his brain and gave my shot a window, I’d only need the one.

Craig and Catalogue John were still outside waiting for me to arrive, unaware that I was inside. Wilmot-Brown was upstairs in the living quarters, looking out of the window for me. I’m here. I’m fucking here. He was probably cursing me for taking so long.

Bang!

I dropped a heavy right onto Ray’s fat jaw line. I hit him as hard and as fast as I could. The contact was sound. One of my better punches, if I do say so myself. I felt the heavy contact of knuckle on bone and knew I’d get a result. His eyes closed and his face shuddered. He was out before he fell. His body tumbled heavily towards the beer-splashed floor. His beer glass jumped from his hand and, almost in slow motion, spun in the air, spewing beer in all directions. My right foot met his head before it hit the floor, taking his front teeth out. I kicked him so hard that blood splattered all over my lovely Fila trainers and socks. His face bumped against the floor emitting a low hollow thud that made my stomach turn.

A collective ‘OOOO!’ came from the bar full of customers. As he lay motionless at my feet, beer and blood running in a river around his head and seeping into his silver tracksuit top like an explosion transfer, I brought the heel of my right foot heavily down on his face and let out a blood-curdling ‘KIAAA!’ I hated myself as I did it. But I had to, it was survival. If this bastard got up I could lose, and that frightened me.

There are various flaws with this book. The prose can be clichéd and clumsy. Sexism and homophobia creep in at several points. Attempts at humour occasionally fall flat, or worse, cast Thompson in a sinister light, taking pleasure in violence and personal abuse. He can sound arrogant, especially his proud boast that he has never lost a fight in over three hundred encounters. That's a figure which could happily sit alongside Rickson's infamous '400-0' claims, with about the same likelihood of accuracy.

However, to an extent all of that is understandable, because the book is written as if it was an informal chat with the reader, not a carefully edited piece of non-fiction. While Thompson tries to shift into a more professional register at certain points – and when he talks about his theories on self defence, he sounds authoritative – generally you feel as if you're sat in a pub listening to old war stories.

Whether or not these have grown in the telling, they're often engrossing, and importantly, Thompson goes on to reveal his fears at the consequences. Primarily that means legal repercussions, or even more dangerous, disgruntled opponents returning for another round, with friends and weapons, when your guard is down. In this section of the book, Thompson comes across as honest, stating that the fear was always there. He just learned how to harness it as an ally, instead of ranking fear among his enemies.

If you're looking for a polished piece of writing, this probably isn't something you'll enjoy. As he describes in the text, Thompson wrote the original edition of Watch My Back in a toilet, while working in a factory. His route to becoming an author certainly wasn't typical, and it has taken him some time to achieve competency: much of his first book reflects that. However, if you're interested in self defence, or Thompson's experience as a bouncer in 1980s Coventry, those flaws can be overcome. Available to buy here (or in the US, here).

Since Watch My Back and his days as a leader of the RBSD movement, Thompson has become a screen writer. For example, Clubbed grew out of Watch My Back, essentially a fictionalised version of the book brought to life. If you've read the book, I found it makes the film a lot more entertaining. You'll recognise some sequences that have been lifted directly from the text, but mostly they're modified, in order to fit in with Clubbed's narrative. Thompson even has a cameo, holding the pads for the protagonist and his training partners. Thompson's style is definitely better suited to film, so I'll be interested to see what he comes up with next.

Clubbed wasn't the first film to emerge from Watch My Back, as in 2002, Geoff Thompson wrote the short piece Bouncer. Impressively for a first-timer, he was able to get Ray Winstone to play the starring role. Perfect casting:

18/02/2010 - BJJ (Beginner)

Class #288
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 18/02/2010

Somebody brought in a weighing scale tonight, presumably because a few competitions are coming up in the next few months. Naturally everyone went and weighed themselves, and it appears I'm fatter than I thought at the moment. Normally I weigh around 65kg without the gi, but the scales told me I'm currently 71.5kg whilst wearing it. So, I must be at least 69kg or so without the gi right now. That annoys me: I'm determined to get down to my normal weight by next week. Of course, eating a whole tub of ice cream yesterday probably didn't help. Ahem. ;)

Kev started off technique tonight by taking the back, this time after sprawling against a shoot. For the purposes of this drill, you end up facing their turtle, with them reaching for your leg to initiate a takedown from the knees. Drop your hip on that side (if I'm remembering correctly), then bring your opposite arm over their head. That should kill their grip on your leg, so you can now circle around past it, and take the back in the same way as Tuesday, finishing with a RNC.

He also advised that to finish the choke, it can be helpful to roll towards the elbow of your choking arm. That will make it tougher for them to escape. Conversely, if you're on the receiving end, then the fingers of their choking arm point you route to freedom.

The next choke from the back was referred to by Kev as a single collar choke. I think it might also be known as a single wing choke, but I'm not sure. You have a deep grip on one collar. Your other arm threads in front of their same side arm and behind their head. Pull their collar to the opposite side, simultaneously pushing on their head with your other arm, while also moving that other arm towards the opposite side.

Finally Kev demonstrated his favourite, the bow and arrow choke. Again you grip their collar, but this time, it doesn't matter too much if your hold is a little loose. You then grab their same side pant leg with your free hand. That will enable you to swivel on their body, until you can bring your leg over their shoulder (because you have a hold of their pant leg, it should be difficult for them to take advantage when you shift your hooks). Move your other leg up to meet it and cross your feet. You can now use pressure from your legs to effect the choke, pulling on the pant leg if you need to.

Sparring from turtle, I was able to eventually escape both Howard and Callum, but it felt rather sloppy. I could generally free one hook, then secure a leg with both of my own. I then just about managed to block their other hook from re-establishing. However, I was struggling to turn to either the top position (if I was facing the ceiling), or spin to half guard (if underneath). Could be because they had an arm under my armpit again. I tried grabbing a leg and driving, but that didn't work either. Still, I guess it's better than being fully back mounted.

I found that on top, I was leaving too much space. Callum is particularly quick at shifting back into guard, managing to knock me out of position, then just rolling over his shoulder to replace guard. Howard also exposed that space, though he preferred to roll to the side. Either way, I was doing something wrong that I wasn't doing on Tuesday, as I managed to stay on top and eventually secure the back that time. Must remember to keep my hips low, and take care that when I move, I'm not leaving them an escape route.

Unfortunately I managed to slice my finger on somebody's gi, as I noticed there was a load of blood seeping from under my fingernail. I don't think it was a large cut, as washing it in the sink seemed to get rid of most of the blood fairly quickly. Still, I didn't fancy messing it up further on someone's abrasive gi, especially as sparring from back mount tends to result in lots of finger friction. I did have a quick roll with Callum after writing down my usual notes and taping up the finger, but time soon ran out.

16/02/10 - BJJ (Advanced)

Class #287
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 16/02/2010

The passing of Valentine's Day means that it is now two years since I got my blue belt, so I thought I'd take stock of my current progress. I still have many, many gaping holes in my game. I can't break the guard unless they pretty much open it for me, and then only if I'm on my knees and therefore close enough to capitalise. If they manage to make any distance and I have to stand up in open guard, my passing is about as effective as a paraplegic catfish. I have no idea how to use knee-on-belly (I don't think I've ever been on top in that position during non-specific sparring). I fail miserably at holding back mount, and the only people I ever submit at all are rank beginners.

On the plus side, I'm fairly happy with my defence (although my escapes from knee on belly and scarf hold still need plenty of work), and my guard is getting steadily better: my major goal from there continues to be stringing together some attacks. I also feel much more secure on top of side control and mount than I used to. My half guard passing has improved as well, thanks to better use of shoulder pressure, but that does mean I'm developing a bad habit of accepting half guard rather than properly passing.

Class continued with back attacks: unusually, Kev said he would be teaching escapes next week, whereas normally he combines them in one class. First technique was an armbar from the back. You've got back mount, but they're doing a good job of blocking your choke attempts. So instead, slip your hand under their armpit and grab their same side wrist. Bring your other arm over their head, then secure a second grip on the same wrist. You want to be pulling their arm in tight the whole time, both to keep your position and to stop them making space to escape.

Switch your first hand to the wrist of your second, leaving you with a figure four on your partner's arm. Step your hooks off to their opposite side of their body (as if you were about to move into a body triangle), shifting your legs up towards their head. Keep the pressure on their trapped arm to stop them turning into you and escaping. Finally, bring your leg over their head, break their grip (Kev's option from last week works great) and drop back for the armbar.

The next option was an Ezequiel choke from the back. The set-up for this is fairly simple, as you just need a harness grip (one arm over their shoulder, the other through their armpit). Grip the shoulder arm sleeve with your armpit hand, then move your shoulder arm up and to the side, so that the gi material is pressing into their neck. Bring your shoulder arm around behind their head, then knife hand downwards on the other side of their neck. That should block off both arteries, resulting in a submission.

Sparring started in back mount, then went from there as normal. As Howard started on my back, I was defending the whole roll. I clamped my hands to the side of my neck, as per Aisling's advice, then looked to remove one hook and trap it with my legs. I was able to do so, but because Howard kept a firm grip with the arm under my armpit, I struggled to turn towards him.

Once I did finally get free, Howard was trying to initiate an attack with his gi lapel. I got free, and found that I could then grab that dangling gi and use it myself. However, I'm never quite sure what to do with loose gi fabric, so just played around with putting it over his back, then seeing if I got get it through his legs to help with a sweep. I'm sure I've been shown a few techniques related to that, so will have to look through the blog.

Rolling with Kev was of course very one-sided, but gave me a chance to work in guard. Once again, I was looking to use jnp's 'ball' principle, keeping my knees close to my chest, as well as principles from the Roy Harris seminar on Roy Dean's DVD. He eventually caught me with an armbar, and after I asked about options for defence, he suggested that trying to get to his guard and stack him was a good strategy. You're still stuck in an armbar, but you have gravity on your side: much better than being on your back.

I also sparred a white belt, which usually means I can practice my submissions (unless the white belt is bigger than me). While I landed a few, I still haven't got into the combination mindset Roy Dean talks about on Purple Belt Requirements. I went for an armbar from the back, but just clung on to it, rather than thinking of the next move, so because I left too much space, he was able to work his way free.

I did at least get back to guard, where I had another opportunity to go for the arm, as he was pressing his forearm into my throat. I landed it this time, but it made me realise that earlier, should have been thinking about shifting into omoplatas and triangles. Even though I managed the armbar from guard, I wasn't considering my next move if it failed. Going for mounted triangles and submitting with a kimura was fun, but I'm pretty sure somebody more experienced wouldn't have let me lock that position on in the first place (as I basically just shoved his arm down and stepped over it).

16/02/10 - BJJ (Beginner)

Class #286
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 16/02/2010

I'm thrilled to see that one of my favourite TV series in recent years, Last Man Standing, now has a female counterpart, Last Woman Standing. It's on iPlayer here, and showing on BBC 3 Tuesdays at 21:00, repeated on Sundays at 20:00. I'd never thought it would happen, as I'd assumed tribal culture was too patriarchal, so this was a pleasant surprise. The first one should appeal to BJJers, as it's wrestling in a Brazilian tribe. Awesome!

I also read a thought-provoking thread on The Underground recently, about Women's Self Defence. Several people who have taught women self defence classes relate their experiences, and what they think is the proper way to go about doing it. Just throwing out a subset of BJJ is frowned upon. So, I'd be interested to hear what people think, if they haven't seen that before.

Finally, worth mentioning that RGA Buckinghamshire is expanding. I train at the High Wycombe location, but there is also one in Aylesbury, and now a third in Bletchley. This will be running at the Total Dojo, The Concourse, Brunel Centre, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2ES. Looking at the map, it isn't far from Bletchley Rail Station. BJJ sessions are on Wednesdays, from 20:15-21:45.

Fundamentals this week was based around standing guillotines. Start by wrapping up their neck if they leave it exposed when shooting in. With the forearm pressing into their throat, form a fist with that hand, then cup it with the other. Squeeze and lean back for the submission, dropping into guard if you need extra leverage.

I hadn't realised that it is illegal in competition (though Kev mentioned he was going to double check) if you apply that choke without feeding your 'cupping' arm through their same side armpit. Apparently, it is otherwise too much strain on the neck and spine. Howard and I were just applying guillotines as normal until Kev pointed out the rules issues, and I did indeed find at one point there was a fair bit of strain on the top of my spine.

The defence is to grab their choking arm with four fingers for breathing room, while your other arm reaches over their shoulder. Walk round, drop them to the floor, and land in side control. As they'll probably still have hold of your head, crush your shoulder into their face until they release the grip (you shouldn't be in danger of getting choked anymore, as the leverage isn't there).

Main techniques tonight were centred around the back mount. First of all, you have to get there, so Kev demonstrated taking the back when they're turtled up. You start behind them and slightly to the side, your hips low to stop them rolling out. Threaten their neck, with the aim of making them move their arms to defend. As soon as they do, slip your hands underneath and grab their gi lapels (though not too deep, as you can potentially get rolled).

You now move up higher on their body, bringing one knee next to theirs. Roll them over that knee, so they are facing the ceiling. If you haven't been able to immediately insert hooks, clamp your knees together, to stop them immediately spinning to your guard. Threaten their neck again, then insert your hooks as they move their arms to defend.

From here, you can execute a basic choke. You'll have one arm through their armpit, the other coming over their shoulder. Reaching to their nearest collar with your armpit hand, open up their gi, then feed the material to your shoulder hand, getting a deep grip. Your armpit hand now goes to their other collar and holds it. To finish the choke, pull slightly across with your shoulder hand and straight down with your armpit hand, also leaning back and pressing forward with your hips.

You can also roll to the side of your choking arm, as that will give you much more space to lean back, because you are no longer stopped by the floor. Make sure that you bring your shoulder arm elbow slightly back, as if you roll on top of it, you'll lock it in place and find it tough to get the leverage for the choke.

Specific sparring from turtle, I went to my usual 'safety position', with my elbows tucked up past my knees, hands by my neck. While that prevented chokes, it didn't stop Howard from slipping his hands in to grip my gi lapels. My main aim was to wait for an opportunity to move towards his legs and roll into guard. Sometimes that worked, securing half guard first, but sometimes I merely ended up under mount or side control.

I asked Kev about the ideal defensive position. He suggested that, from a sitting position, put your elbows on your hips, hands together, forming a triangle. Fold your torso over the top, resulting in a secure barrier against grips and hooks. However, it isn't a very active option, so better to be looking for the legs and a chance to spin to guard.

On top, I tend to struggle against the turtle. I went very slow, looking for an opening, but Howard wasn't leaving any space. So instead, I remained low on the hips to stop him rolling, then attempted to pull out his gi lapel. If I couldn't get my hand to grab the gi, I'd make it come to me. I'm not sure that was actually a good tactic, but it seemed to work, as eventually I had enough leverage to roll Howard and insert one hook. I ended up forcing my other foot into place, but it was rather sloppy. The round finished as I was working to secure a choke, though Howard wasn't far off from escaping my hooks.

Article - Homophobia & BJJ

Article #11, by Can Sönmez

You may well have seen the photo featuring a grinning Wanderlei Silva, unadorned except for a pair of fightshorts, held from behind by a similarly underdressed training partner. It tends to be captioned with the phrase "it's only gay if you make eye contact." This is part of the "BJJ is gay" meme, something anyone who has trained in BJJ for a while will eventually come across. Often, it will be a friend trying to make a joke about your chosen sport. When positions like 'rear mount' are a common part of class, that isn't exactly hard.

The fact is, two sweaty men rolling around on the floor looks a lot like something else to the uninformed. That is even more the case when it's no-gi, as in the infamous Silva picture. I'm a straight BJJer, so if someone tries to tell me "BJJ is gay," I'll just assume they're ignorant or trying to be funny.

However, I wonder what my response would be if I was a gay BJJer myself. Sport and homosexuality are not on the best of terms: it is still a big decision for a prominent athlete to come out publically. Even gay fans struggle to be acknowledged. Many gay sportsmen and women choose to remain in the closet (naturally it is difficult to get statistics on that, but related stories here, here and here) fearful of media reaction, losing sponsorship, or causing tension in their team. In the past, this worry has been tragically justified.

For a grappling sport like BJJ, homophobia is a particularly pressing concern. There are those who can't help feeling uncomfortable when in close bodily contact with somebody sexually attracted to their gender. This is unfortunate: after all, heterosexual women face that issue every time they step on the mats. The majority of their training partners will be straight men. A heterosexual guy rolling with a homosexual man should be no different: you're both there to learn jiu jitsu, not find a date.

Sites like Matbattle.com (not safe for work) probably don't help matters. That isn't necessarily the fault of Matbattle (although articles like this arguably cross the line), as they are catering to a specific audience, just like the vast slew of titillating material aimed at straight men. What consenting adults want to do in the privacy of their bedroom is their business. However, the problem is when homophobes decide that all gay BJJers are sexual predators waiting to jump on them, most likely pointing to Matbattle as some kind of spurious 'evidence'.

Personally speaking, I haven't seen a lot of homophobia in BJJ. The kind of attitude I'm familiar with is exemplified by my favourite martial arts forum, Bullshido. As much as it occasionally gets dismissed by detractors as a bunch of foul-mouthed meatheads, almost every time I've encountered a thread on gay BJJers, the consensus has been "yeah, so what? They're there to grapple and get better at BJJ, like everyone else." An eminently sensible response.

Nevertheless, there are examples of shockingly homophobic behaviour elsewhere in the sport, as the below video [since removed, unfortunately] investigates (interestingly, the related documentary resulted in two initially contrasting Bullshido discussions. First this, then this, and prior to both of them, one on NHBGear [website down]):  

      I'm keen to hear the perspective of gay BJJers on this topic, so please feel free to share your experiences, good or bad.       < Previous Article ::: Next Article >

09/02/2010 - BJJ (Advanced)

Class #285
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 09/02/2010

The Future Champions charity I mentioned a little while back was featured in last week's episode of the Fightworks Podcast. It was great to hear Jamie talk about his work with kids, and I'm hopeful this will lead to much broader exposure in the BJJ community. Like I said before, any and all help would be of enormous benefit (contact Future Champions here). It also isn't restricted to the UK: while it is currently UK based, I'm sure in the future branches could (and hopefully will) be established in the US, Australia, Canada etc. So, please lend a hand if you can!

Class continued with the mount, delving into the obvious question when it comes to that armbar: how do you break their grip if they've locked their arms? Kev's solution is to first make sure you have the arm nearest their head looped through the crook of their elbow, grabbing your own gi to lock it in. Basing behind you with your other hand, lean backwards to put some strain on their grip.

When you think it's loose enough, slam your other hand across into a figure four, creating momentum by also swinging your body towards their head. Once their arm is free, immediately bring your body back into alignment, then apply the armbar. If you stay leaned over by their head, you're giving them an opening to escape, as they can walk around towards their hand, turning to get free.

If their arms are too deeply hidden, the second option if to pull their other arm in tightly towards you. Staying tight, move around to the other side, and attack that arm instead. I'm guessing there must have been more to it, but I think I missed some details as I found this one a bit tougher to practice, due to my wrist.

Sparring again wasn't normal for me, as this time I did two rounds of flow rolling with Howard. Flow rolling is something I first encountered at a Nic Gregoriades class, though reading that entry again, I realise I didn't do it quite right. Nic's version doesn't have any grips, whereas I was grabbing at the gi with my right hand. Still, the important part was no submissions and keep moving, not staying in any one position for more than a few seconds.

That worked well for my situation, and also gave me a chance to work my open guard. In particular, I was thinking of jnp's excellent 'ball' strategy, where you keep your knees in towards your chest to make it difficult for your partner to pass. I also hand in mind what I've been reading in Kid Peligro's Essential Guard, one of the numerous books I got for Christmas (which is naturally on my to-be-reviewed list). He shows how you can bring your leg across their chest to help push them away and get back to guard, before they can fully pass.

I also had a go at working my way free from north-south, then rolling backwards to try for the back, or recover guard. Of course, it wasn't anywhere near as tight as in a normal roll, but I found it helpful to practice the motion. I was also attempting to roll over my shoulder into guard, as Marcio once showed me, but still haven't quite got the motion down.

Like last week, I won't be training on Thursday again due to seeing my girlfriend, who is popping up for a visit. Probably just as well, as that gives my wrist another week to fully recover.

09/02/2010 - BJJ (Beginner)

Class #284
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 09/02/2010

I'm not quite sure how, but I busted my left wrist at some point last week. The only possible cause I can think of is that shoulder lock with the lapel, though I don't remember my wrist hurting at the time. Either way, for most of last week, my left hand hasn't done a whole lot, in the hope that resting it would mean it would be ok for tonight.

It was definitely improved, but still sufficiently sore that I didn't want to risk aggravating the injury by putting any weight on my wrist. So I decided to try and train around my wrist instead, which fortunately was possible tonight because there were enough sensible blue belts training. I often pair up with Howard, who I knew I could trust to avoid that wrist.

Technique started with the usual GB fundamentals stuff, this time a takedown from a bear hug. The interesting part was that it moved into some knee on belly submissions, starting with the usual far armbar if they push on your knee with their hand, followed by a choke.

You start by opening up their collar and getting a deep grip with your hand. The second hand slides on top over to the other collar, but only your thumb goes inside rather than the four fingers. Drop the elbow of that second arm across their neck, so that the wrist and forearm presses into their throat. Finally, put your head to the floor on the top arm side, squeezing to secure the submission.

Groundwork was mount again this week. Kev started with the basic spinning armbar, where they have their arms pushing straight up. That means you can put your hands around one arm on their chest, hop up and spin directly into an armbar, making sure to slide down their arm to leave as little space as possible.

As that is highly unlikely to happen with anyone a little more experienced, Kev then progressed to the more common armbar from mount. Shift up into high mount, knees into their armpits. If they're using a standard defence, with their arms crossed to protect their neck, this should shove their arms up. Slide your same side knee up past the top arm, turning to face their other arm.

Your other leg will curl around their other arm: all the way through, your legs need to stay tight, as otherwise they'll have a chance to escape. Slide your same side hand past the crook of their elbow, then bring your same side leg over their head. Kev likes to cross his feet (as he finds that results in better control), then drop back for the armbar.

Finally, we went through the typical Americana from mount. As I couldn't press on the arm properly due to my wrist, I took a leaf out of Cindy Omatsu's book and drove it to the floor with my head instead. Looking at the DVD again, I see that she grips differently than I was before bringing her head into the picture, grabbing the wrist with one hand. That's definitely something I'd like to try in sparring, as I can never get the arm loose for an Americana: keeping my base would be more problematic, but worth a go.

As I couldn't spar properly, I was going to just go light with Howard, but Kev asked me to help out a beginner instead. This made sense, as he had a messed up rib, so couldn't spar full on either. It was only his second class, so I went through the two basic mount escapes with him, also showing him how to secure a low grapevined mount. His rib was too tender for me to do anything on top, so we stuck with me escaping his mount, then drilling technique. I tried to keep things simple and not overwhelm him with information: I'm enjoying the opportunity to practice that element of BJJ, though it is a little more difficult when you're both carrying injuries.

Unusually, Kev then got everyone to free spar, starting in mount. That's the first time I've seen him let people do that in the beginners class. In the case of my training partner, it led to more teaching of the basics, where I tried to show him a simple standing guard break and pass. Again that wasn't easy, due to his rib, but hopefully getting a first look will be of some use to him further down the line.

When I decided to train around my injury, I'd forgotten one important detail: I take lots of notes, and I'm left handed. With my wrist out of commission, I couldn't write with my left. Fortunately, I've practiced enough with my right that I could just about scribble something using that hand instead. For some reason, I used to randomly try and write with my other hand back at school: paid off tonight. ;)

DVD Review - Cindy Omatsu BJJ

Short Review: As far as I'm aware, this 2005 set is still the only BJJ instructional produced by a female black belt. Unlike its contemporaries, like Saulo's DVDs from a year earlier, Omatsu's release is no longer that easy to find. That's unfortunate, because the first two DVDs form a superlative introduction to BJJ. Omatsu has a relaxed, friendly style, with plenty of detail, helped by the multiple angles and zooms. The last two DVDs present more advanced techniques, though I wouldn't say there is anything beyond a blue belt here.

Full Review: Cindy Omatsu was the first non-Brazilian woman to achieve the rank of black belt, promoted by Rigan Machado. She was also, as far as I'm aware, the first woman of any nationality to release a Brazilian jiu jitsu instructional DVD. Her assistant is a certain Felicia Oh, who would receive her own black belt not long afterwards, and has since grown to be one of the most successful women in the sport.

This DVD set is supposed to be the Brazilian jiu jitsu installment of a series entitled Vicious Vixens. There are other DVDs covering muay thai and MMA, featuring Lisa King and Debi Purcell respectively. Presumably the reason for the somewhat dubious name are the female teachers, but fortunately that is the only example of women being treated differently than men on the DVD (or at least that's true for Omatsu's contribution: I haven't seen the others).

Omatsu splits her instruction across the four DVDs by level, beginning with 'Basic BJJ', then 'Beginner', 'Intermediate' and 'Advanced.' Each DVD is between forty to fifty minutes long, divided into various sections, normally based around a particular position.

Omatsu wears a white gi while Oh wears a black one, always an important point to include in any BJJ instructional: otherwise, it can be difficult to sort out the tangle of limbs. The camerawork is also good, with multiple angles and frequent zooms when more detail is required. Omatsu goes through each technique at least twice, sometimes more, adding in details along the way. She also points out common mistakes, and is relatively concise.

Basic BJJ (forty-two minutes) certainly lives up to its billing. Omatsu starts from the absolute fundamentals, showing the viewer how to tap. She then moves on to what she feels are the four basic positions: the guard, side control, mount and back mount. I particularly liked the way this was all logically connected, passing the guard into side control, then transitioning to mount, before taking back mount as your opponent rolls to their stomach.

Guard is described as a neutral position, but noting that the person with their legs around you has a slight advantage, due to the possibility of sweeping and submitting. I feel a lot more comfortable in guard, but I imagine there are plenty of instructors who would insist that it is always better to be on top, including in the guard.

After about five minutes, Omatsu follows with some warm-up drills, again making certain to cover off the absolute fundamentals. That means she has Felicia Oh shrimp up and down the mat (though Omatsu prefers the term 'hip escape', which is fairly common), before adding in a useful complication.

Rather than just shrimping against thin air, Omatsu stands above Oh and walks up the mat with her. That means that the shrimping motion is put into practical context, something which is all too easy to forget when you've done it a hundred times at the start of every lesson. This is also something Rich Green used to do when I was at Combat Athletics.

The mechanics of the triangle, bridging, shoulder rolls and leg circles complete the basic drills, taking the DVD to the fourteen minute mark. Leg circling possibly requires a bit more explanation, as not every club I've been to does it: the idea is to practice establishing hooks from spider guard, circling around the arm. As with shrimping, Omatsu demonstrates the application from open guard.

Omatsu dubs her next section 'Basic Techniques', though this is less specific techniques than outlining the fundamental motions and postures in BJJ. Omatsu keeps to the positional hierarchy she laid out earlier, beginning with the guard. Omatsu shows the importance of good base and proper posture, including squeezing your knees into their hips to stop them moving. She also reiterates essential tips like always keeping either both arms in or out of the guard.

Interestingly, Omatsu also shows how to properly pull guard from kneeling. This again isn't included in most instructional DVDs I've seen, but it is the kind of thing a beginner will find useful. While there isn't much use for that technique in competition or on the street, it is a common situation when training in class.

Finally on the guard, Omatsu points out something I don't think I've ever considered before, which is how to arrange your feet when sat in somebody's guard. She points out that for safety reasons, you should be sitting directly over your heels, rather than splaying your feet to the side (as in the picture). It is also the first time she says something specific to her gender, mentioning that "a lot of women do this because they can." Generally when she mentions women later on, it is in this context of flexibility.

Side control is up next, covering the correct posture both on top and underneath the position. The key is keeping your weight on your opponent, rather than on your hands and knees. Omatsu's preferred variation of side control appears to be a knee up to block their hip, with the other leg back to increase the downward pressure. She also demonstrates how to cross-face.

On the bottom, it is all about making space. Omatsu takes the posture I'm most familiar with, pressing an arm into the throat while the other blocks their hip. After running through guard recovery, Omatsu explains going to your knees. From there, she takes Oh down into side control, again using the method I'm familiar with, head and leg on the outside.

The mount crops up thirty minutes into the DVD, kicking off with the low mount, grapevining their legs, basing out with your arms. Pointing out the advantages of each version as she goes, Omatsu moves up to a higher mount, making sure to tuck her feet tight to their bum, before bringing her knees to Oh's armpits for a third variation.

Escaping the mount I noticed that, yet again, Omatsu appears to have learned the same way I did, judging by her hand grips (though I would grip closer to the wrist). I'm not sure if that indicates Rigan teaches in a similar fashion to Roger and his instructors (as I first learned the basics at RGA HQ), or if it is just something smaller people do. Either way, this fleshes out the observation I made when reviewing Gracie Combatives.

The last few minutes are spent on back mount. Sticking within the 'basic' remit, Omatsu simply lets her opponent roll under mount, then inserts her hooks as Oh turns around. Rather than locking her hands together as in Gracie Combatives, she takes advantage of the gi and secures a collar grip, using that to help point Oh towards the ceiling.

This time she doesn't show any escapes, instead adding in the first submissions of the DVD series, a couple of chokes. I would have expected a rear naked choke, but Omatsu prefers to run through two collar choke, which upon reflection makes sense, given that she already has that collar grip. The DVD finishes with both Omatsu and Oh joking their way through the final technique: you can tell these are two long-time training partners, which contributes to the overall friendly atmosphere of the DVD series.

As that previous DVD documented the basic postures and movements, Beginning BJJ (fifty-two minutes) can get right into submissions. Omatsu begins with the armbar from mount, assuming that your opponent makes the beginner error of pushing up on your chest with their arms. You can then simply post on their chest, spin, and slide down the arm, before dropping back to apply the joint lock.

That is followed by an Americana, which again is predicated on your opponent raising their arms, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Omatsu uses the thumbless grip, due to the possibility of your partner using your thumb as a lever to escape. Helpfully, the camera zooms in on details, something which is a positive feature of the series as a whole.

Omatsu gives out a helpful tip at this point, which is using your head to help push their hand to the mat. That can provide the extra leverage you need if they're being especially difficult. Once you've got their arm to the mat, Omatsu also suggests inserting your second hand through the side, if they have managed to clamp their elbow so tightly that you can't slip underneath.

For the choke from mount, Omatsu does not show the straightforward cross choke you might expect. Instead, she grabs one collar, then circles her other arm around. This is the style Roger Gracie normally uses, and also seems to result in a more stable base, as you don't immediately commit both your arms. Omatsu emphasises getting your knees up their body first, so that you're away from the bridging power of their hips.

In a technique mainly specific to sparring in class from the knees, Omatsu then demonstrates how to pull guard into a scissor sweep, building on pulling guard in the previous DVD. There are a fair few people who dismiss sparring from the knees as unrealistic, but it nevertheless remains a constant at most BJJ classes, due to space and safety considerations if nothing else. Also, there is the JohnnyS argument, which is that you can use techniques from the knees if you find yourself in a scramble, among various other situations.

Armbar from the guard is covered next, using the set-up I'm most familiar with. Omatsu shows two possible grips to use on the sleeve, and states that you don't want to cross your feet. She also, handily, has a follow-up sweep if you get stacked while attempting the armbar, where you drive you leg down on their head, then grab their far trouser leg and roll them into mount.

Throughout the DVD, Omatsu will run through each technique several times from a few different angles. As she does so, she'll also add in further details, such as here, where she notes you can pull them in with your legs to initially break their posture.

The next ten minutes are spent swiftly describing several fundamental attacks. First, the basic choke from guard, which takes just over a minute, with another four minutes on the kimura from guard. As with the Americana, Omatsu opts for the thumbless grip. This contrasts with several other instructors, such as Rener Gracie, who feel that the thumb provides greater leverage without the same danger of being used to aid an escape. She finishes off with the guillotine, as that connects well with a kimura attempt.

A final ten minutes cover passing the guard. Omatsu's method for opening the guard at first looks the same as Saulo's preferred technique. She inserts the knee and steps back, but then digs her elbow into the thigh, which is exactly what Saulo recommends against. It can work, but personally I dislike that particular guard break, because it relies on hurting your partner rather than using body mechanics and leverage.

She follows up with a pass, sitting on the leg, backstepping, blocking the hip with her hand then moving into side control. Though I'm not fond of the preceding guard break, it is nevertheless very clearly explained in combination with the pass. Omatsu shows the viewer three different angles, carefully pointing out hand position, legs and grips.

To finish, Omatsu includes the same guard break Roy Dean showed me at his UK seminar, which is also part of Purple Belt Requirements. You can either push into their biceps or the armpits, aiming to make enough room to stand and insert your knee. Once in place, sit back down, sliding them down your knee, which should provide enough pressure to open the guard. Omatu's version makes it clear that you create a space in which to place your knee, which wasn't quite as obvious on Purple Belt Requirements (then again, Omatsu's application may well be slightly different). To pass, Omatsu then uses a leg pin pass.

The third volume, Intermediate BJJ (just under forty-six minutes) opens with a method for reaching open guard from closed. You feet move to their hips, while you grip both their sleeves, pulling their arms around your knees. From this position, Omatsu is able to launch a number of attacks, which can also function together as a sequence.

The first submission is an omoplata from guard. This also provides Omatsu with the opportunity to highlight the importance of following through when doing a drill, and that you need to be working out with a partner on the mat, to facilitate resistance training. It is a point worth repeating, particularly with the proliferation of online training programs over the last couple of years.

She moves on to a triangle, before combining that into a sequence with the armbar and omoplata. If they pull their arm out of the armbar attempt, you can swivel around their other arm, moving into an omoplata. Omatsu traps the arm at a right angle by pulling it across her leg, grabbing their belt, then clamping her other arm on top in the process. Should they attempt to posture up out of that, Omatsu swivels back, locking in a triangle.

I'm keen to start building attack series, as Roy Dean advises on Purple Belt Requirements. Omatsu delivers a classic option, teaching each element separately before joining the three techniques into a flowing offence. She also demonstrates a few sweeps, such as a scissor followed by a push sweep from that earlier spider guard variation. Rather than a shin across the stomach, she uses the leverage of a foot in the bicep.

Having covered sweeps from the knees, Omatsu then demonstrates several against a standing opponent. Strangely for an intermediate DVD, one of those is a basic ankle grab. Categorisation is always difficult, but I'm not quite sure why she left this until intermediate. Either way, it does give her a chance to make an important point: "when your opponent is grabbing you, you want to grab back. You don't want to let them control you."

The last ten minutes are again devoted to passing the guard. This time, that is specifically open guard. They have their feet on your hips and are grabbing your sleeves. You grab back, pull their knees towards you so they're on the floor, then sit down and squeeze your knees together. To finish, you grip their trouser leg and behind their gi, then spin them straight into side control.

Finally, Omatsu shows a similar set-up, where as before you get their feet to the floor, crushing their knees together. This ends up as effectively a sort of butterfly guard. This time, she is a little more acrobatic in passing, gripping a trouser leg behind their calf, then flipping right over the top and rotating into side control.

The fourth and last DVD, Advanced BJJ (forty-seven minutes) kicks off with eight and a half minutes of takedowns. As far as I can tell, these draw more on wrestling than judo, based around a single leg, but then my takedown knowledge is quite poor.

Omatsu progresses to submissions from side control, starting with an arm triangle if they try to shove their arm up into your neck. She shifts into scarf hold after that, developing another attack sequence, which encompasses five different options.

It begins with the step-over armbar demonstrated on Renzo's old set, which like Renzo, moves into an Americana with the legs, if they slip their arm out of danger. Should that fail, Omatsu shifts into the side control/scarf hold triangle I've mentioned a few times recently, which enables her to attack for a kimura. You could also go for a straight armbar from there, or indeed an Americana, depending on where they move their arm. If the kimura doesn't get a tap, Omatsu pulls that arm up, then swivels round into an armbar.

Again, much of what Omatsu shows on these four DVDs are techniques I have seen in class, with the same set-up. That continues when she shows a choke from technical mount, as a response to her partner rolling away from her in side control. This is the same submission Kev has taught a few times in class, meaning that Omatsu's instructional is an ideal way for me to review techniques I already know, but want to refine. As with Kev, Omatsu finishes by applying an armbar, if for some reason the choke isn't working out.

Having explored side control, Omatsu adds attacks from the mount. Similarly, the armbar she shows here is also something Kev has included in class. The advantage of this set-up is that you can apply it either by falling back or going belly down, so your opponent is stuck either way they try to roll. Along with the armbar, Omatsu shows how you can move into a mounted triangle, pushing on their shoulder and stepping over as they attempt to elbow escape.

Yet more sweeps from guard follow. The first is a little unorthodox, and possibly low percentage. Omatsu controls the sleeve, gets a cross grip, then either grabs the pant leg or swims under their leg. Swinging her leg over their arm, she rolls over to face the floor, knocking them onto their back with her body. From there, Omatsu spins directly into an armbar.

The second sweep is more standard, off an omoplata, after which Omatsu describes a few grip breaks if you're having trouble completing the armbar. Some are relatively standard, like moving in a semi-circle to loosen their grip, while others are more risky, like kicking it loose with your foot. To finish, Omatsu narrates a couple of armbar escapes, which Felicia Oh demonstrates step by step.

It is a shame this set is no longer easy to find, as the first two DVDs are excellent for beginners. I especially liked the fundamental nature of the opening video, which was well complemented by the selection of techniques in the second DVD. It is also refreshing to see a female black belt teach on a BJJ DVD: hopefully others will follow suit, as this series is now five years old. There are plenty of prominent women in BJJ today, like Hillary Williams, Lana Stefanac and indeed Omatsu's old training partner Felicia Oh, all of whom could no doubt produce a decent instructional.

02/02/2010 - BJJ (Advanced)

Class #283
RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 02/02/2010

Kev went over some points about maintaining the mount to begin the lesson, commenting that shifting to technical mount is a good option if they being to escape. He also noted that if they manage to get their knee through and under your leg, you've pretty much lost mount. At that point, it would be sensible to shift into a pass, rather than struggling to get back to mount and probably getting reversed.

The technique he showed was a choke from technical mount, much the same as one he has shown before. As they elbow escape, shift into technical mount. Reach under their top arm and open up the collar, feeding it to your other hand, which will be around their head. Bring your top arm behind their head, then knife hand downwards while straightening your arm. That should put on the choke, presuming you've got a decent grip on their collar with your other hand.

Next was something rather more unorthodox, a shoulder lock from mount. This is a bit low percentage, but Kev mentioned he has managed to land it on people who are being especially defensive, clamming up with their arms crossed. Start by pulling out one side of their gi on the same side as the arm they have on top. Bring that gi lapel over their arm, towards the elbow. Feed it through to your same side hand, then bring your opposite hand over and underneath, switching your grip.

You are now simply going to gradually tighten that lapel, pulling the material with the lower hand, locking it in place with the upper hand, then pulling it again. As you do so, their arm will be twisted in an increasingly painful fashion, until eventually they're put in a shoulder lock.

After submitting me later in class, Kev also showed me a straightforward escape from a bow and arrow choke. All you do if reach under your leg and grab the same side lapel their holding for the choke. Push with your leg to straighten it out, which will mean they are no longer able to pull the collar into your neck. That should give you some time to work your way free: it's effectively a stalling tactic for breathing room.

During free sparring, I found myself under side control a lot. I'm happy under orthodox side control, but I run into trouble when they shift their base. I think it's modified scarf hold, because they don't have control of my arm, so must have reached under the far arm. Either way, I find that a lot more problematic to escape, so definitely need to review my scarf hold escapes. I was shifting my legs towards their head, to try and bring a leg round, but I think I'm still missing a few elements.

I'm also still playing around with the triangle position under side control. Not everyone puts themselves in position for me to try it, but there are a few who keep their head low, meaning that I can trap it with my leg. It doesn't normally go anywhere as an attack, but I found tonight it definitely helped me escape, as it distracted them from maintaining their position.

With Callum, I've been ending up in the exact same position for months. We start from our knees, I move to pass, he goes up on his side. I'm sort of in his half guard, but I can't secure an underhook, his knee is in the way of my torso, and I can't get much of a grip with my other arm.

I want to try and flatten him out, but that knee stops me coming forward. The other option I've been trying to push his knees together, control the hips, then move round. So far, that hasn't been working for me, but then I think I'm still doing it wrong: as I end up there so often with Callum, should have plenty of opportunity to practice.

I'm also still not threatening properly in open guard. I have some idea of what to do when I have my legs hooked, such as going for a tripod sweep, but I'm far less active in spider guard. I can get the grips, but then I normally find myself just maintaining the position, circling my legs, pushing them back as they try to pass.

I need to threaten a sweep, so that the initiative isn't completely with my partner. Again, something I'll have to review, as I'm sure I've been shown various spider guard sweeps over the years: Gustavo was also teaching open guard sweeps at RGA, so I'll check back in my notes.

I won't be training on Thursday again, as I'm visiting my gf down in Bristol: it's becoming a relatively regular pattern of every two weeks or so (though that will change once one or both of us settle into a proper job).